Extensible electric light



July 6 1%26. 1,591,901

J. T. WATTS EXTENSIBLE ELECTRIC LIGHT Filed Sept. 19 1921 IN 1 EN TOR.

Patented July 6, 1926.

JOHN T.

WATTS, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

EXTENSIBLE ELECTRIC LIGHT.

, Application filed September 19, 1921. Serial No. 501,681.

The invention relates to electric lights wherein the'bulb is attached toa cord and is adjustable to various positions, the purpose being toprevent any slack in the cord 5 and to provide an automatic take up forthe same.

Otherobjects and advantages will be apparent and suggest themselves asthe nature of the invention is understoo l/Vhilc the, drawingillustrates an embodiment of the invention it is to be understood thatin adapting the same to meet different conditions and requirements,various changes in the form, proportion and minor details ofconstruction may be resorted to without departing from the nature of theinvention.

Referring to the accompanying drawing forming a part of thespecification,

Figure 1 is a detail view of an electric light embodying the invention,the dotted lines showing the light lowered,

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional detail,

Figure 3 is an elevational detail showing the parts on a larger scale,

Figure 4 is a detail section clearly the brush contact, and

Figure 5 is a section of a flat form of conductor.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the followingdescription and designated in the several views of the drawing by likereference characters.

The numeral 1 designates the frame which is preferably of rectangularform and provided at its lower end with a socket 2 for reception of theelectric light bulb in a manher well understood and having a guide 3 atits upper end for the electric cord 4 whereby the lamp and fixture aresuspended from a point overhead, as indicated in Fig ure 1. A relativelytransverse shaft 5 is loosely journaled at its ends in the vertical sideelements of the frame 1. A wheel 6 is secured to the shaft 5 forrotation therewith and is provided around its outer edge with ratchetteeth 7 adapted to cooperate with a spring actuated dog 8 mounted uponthe lower portion of the frame 1, the spring being designated 8 Thewheel 6 isprovided at one side with a drum 9 upon which is mounted acoil spring 10. The inner end of the spring 10 is attached in any mannerto the drum 9 and its outer side is made fast to the frame 1. The spring10 when wound is held under tension by means of the dog showing more thebrushes 14 with 8 engaging one of the ratchet teeth 7. A.

drum 11 is provided at the opposite side of and integral with the wheel6 and the lamp cord 4 is wound thereon. One end of the electric cord 4is attached to the drum 11 and the opposite end is connected to theoverhead point of suspension in any determinate way. The intermediateportion of the electric cord 4 passes loosely through the guide 3. Theelectric cord 4 contains two electrically insulated strands. which areelectrically connected to circular contacts 13 fixedly mounted upon theshaft 5 to rotate therewith. These strands are indicated at 4 and thecircular contacts 13 with which they are connected are electricallyinsulated from each other and cooperate with brushes 14 suitably mountedupon the frame 1. Suitable conductors 12 electrically connect theterminals of the socket 2 in a manner Well understood.

Unwinding of the cord 4 from the drum 11 effects a winding of the spring10. When the dog 8 is disengaged from the ratchet teeth 7, the wheel 6is rotated by means of the spring 10 thereby winding the cord 4 upon thedrum 11 and elevating the lamp. When the lamp is drawn downward, the

cord 4 is unwound from the drum 11, and

the spring 10 is wound upon the drum 9.

The lamp cord 4 may be of any construction and may be round or flat asrequired and according to the particular use and nature of the lamp. Thelamp cord 4 in any one of its forms must comprise electrically insulatedstrands to insure proper supply of the electric current to the lamp. Thebrush contact illustrated most clearly in Figure 4 or its substantialequivalent is essential to the successful operation of the invention.

A pull chain 15 or like part is connected with the dog 8 and when drawnupon dis engages the dog 8 from the ratchet teeth 7 and by deftlymanipulating the chain 15 the lamp may be raised or lowered as required.The lamp is held in the adjusted position by permitting the dog 8 toengage one of the ratchet teeth 7. The switch chaln 16 may be connectedwith the pull chain 15 whereby the light may be turned on or off asrequired simultaneously with the adjusting of the lamp.

From the foregoing it will be understood that the frame 1 bearing thesprlng actuated drum has the lamp socket 2 attached directly thereto andthese parts may be of any preferred construction best adapted to meetrequirements, finish and cost. The pull element may consist of a chainor equivalent part and has connection with the frame 1 in any maimer, asindicated at 17, to admit of said frame being raised or lowered asrequired. A pull on the operating element 15 releases the drum 11 bydisengaging the spring actuated dog 8 from the ratchet wheel 6 and bymanipulating the pull element 15 the frame 1 and attached lamp may becaused to move up or down as required. When pulling upon the element 15the switch chain 16 is drawn upon to turn on or oil the light. The dog 8is acted upon by a relatively strong spring and a quick release of thepull element ['5 permits the dog to engage the ratchet. wheel 6 and holdthe lamp in the required adjusted position. 7

Instead of the usual electric cord -t it is preferred to employ aconductor 4 of flat term and appearing as a ribbon or tape. A

flat or ribbon conductor of this nature is indi "ated in Figure 5 andcomprises a plurality of strands alternately arranged and electricallyinsulated. These strands are arranged in two sets, the strands of eachset being electrically connected to form a conductor. This ribbon ortape conductor will wind close on the drum and present a neatappearance.

\Vhat is claimed is::

In a take-up n'ie'chaiii'sm of the character specified, a frame having asocket. a switch in said socket, a spring drum carried by said frame orraising and lowering the frame, a ratchet mechanism including a dogcontrolling said drum and a pull element having connection with said(leg to etlect release ot the spring drum for raising or lowering theframe, and an operatin element common to said switch and to said pullelement.

In testimony whereof I allix my signature.

JOHN T. \VATTS.

